Calgary
A New Solution To Clean Energy That Creates Jobs Is Closer Than You Think
Grant Strem grew up in Calgary, where he attended the U of C to pursue a degree in Geology, followed by a Masters in Geology and Geophysics, specializing in Reservoir Characterization. A former oil and gas sector employee, Grant’s interest in science, space propulsion systems and extreme oxidation processes led him to his current position as Chairman and CEO of Proton Technologies Inc.
A local Calgary company launched in 2015, Proton Technologies is currently at the forefront of tech development in the global energy sector. Unearthing the latest in green energy, Proton’s team of experts is exploring a new approach to clean, affordable energy called Hygenic Earth Energy (HEE). This technology has the potential to alter the course of the climate crisis while simultaneously revitalizing the Canadian oil and gas industry.
According to Proton Technologies, a significant amount of oil remains in the ground following production due to a number of factors that make it inaccessible or too expensive to recover. With Hygenic Earth Energy, these abandoned reservoirs, whether they be light or heavy oil, gas, or coal beds, will be repurposed to produce pure hydrogen with absolutely zero emissions.
Hygenic Earth Energy is the result of a Proton Technologies Inc. patented technology in which oxygen is injected into petroleum reservoirs causing a chemical reaction that releases energy in the form of heat. This thermal energy then breaks apart existing water molecules, separating hydrogen from oxygen, which then passes through a specialized hydrogen filter known as a palladium membrane. As a result of the membrane, all other gases remain trapped underground, meaning this process effectively yields pure hydrogen with zero emissions, at a fraction of the cost. While the majority of hydrogen production currently comes from Steam Methane Reformers and ranges between $2 and $3 USD/kg, Proton estimates they will be producing hydrogen for the chemical industry, as well as transportation and power generation purposes, for less than $0.50 USD/kg once systems have been fully optimized.
According to Dr. Ian Gates, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, HEE has the potential to “change the entire basis for energy on this planet”.
This technology offers a timely and unique compromise between political concerns of the right and the left in Canada. As an economically viable, zero emissions source for clean energy, the potential impact on the climate crisis is extensive. At the same time, if implemented at a large scale, this technology could act as an adrenaline shot to Canadian oil and gas by repurposing abandoned wells and adding jobs to the industry. According to Strem, “All the same skills are needed – from geophysicists to pipefitters and rig hands,” and infrastructure is already in place to house workers and facilitate a relatively smooth transition.
“Nothing will be as cheap as our method for producing energy,” says Strem, “we fully intend to change the world.” Proton Technologies Inc. is currently testing Hygenic Earth Energy technology in Saskatchewan, and believes they will see their first hydrogen sales within the year, with the construction of their first oxygen plant beginning by the end of 2020.
For more stories, visit Todayville Calgary
Alberta
Calgary Ring Road opens 10 months early
Christmas comes early for Calgary drivers
The Calgary Ring Road is now ready to be opened to public traffic, several months ahead of schedule.
Calgary’s ring road is one of the largest infrastructure undertakings in Calgary’s history and includes 197 new bridges and 48 interchanges. The 101-kilometre free-flowing Calgary Ring Road will open to traffic Dec. 19, completing a project decades in the making.
“Calgary’s ring road is a project that has been decades in the making and its completion is a real cause for celebration. This has been an important project and our government got it done. With this final section completed, travelling just got a little easier for families and for workers. This will not only benefit Calgarians and residents in the metro region, it will provide a boost to our economy, as goods can be transported more easily across our province.”
Although construction of the entire ring road project began in 1999 under former premier Ralph Klein, discussions on a ring road around the City of Calgary began as early as the 1950s. In the late 1970s, under former premier Peter Lougheed, high-level planning and land acquisition started and a transportation utility corridor was established to make the Calgary Ring Road a reality.
“The final section of the Calgary Ring Road is now complete, and I’d like to acknowledge the work done by former premiers and transportation ministers and their vision to build Alberta. I’m proud to announce that the final section was completed on budget and months ahead of schedule.”
“I’m thrilled to see the Calgary Ring Road project completed. It was something I have helped shepherd through the process since 2014. Finally, all the hard work put in by everyone has become a reality. The Calgary Ring Road will provide travellers with over 100 kilometres of free-flow travel, create new travel options for the City of Calgary and surrounding area and provide improved market access across the region.”
Opening the ring road means new travel options for Calgarians, which will draw traffic away from heavily travelled and congested roads such as the Deerfoot Trail, 16th Avenue, Glenmore Trail and Sarcee Trail. For commercial carriers, the ring road provides an efficient bypass route, saving time and money for the delivery and shipment of goods and services.
“The ring road investment generated thousands of local jobs and will now play an integral role in keeping Calgarians and the economy moving. This important transportation link will ease congestion on city routes and greatly improve connectivity and access for businesses transporting goods.”
The ring road is a critical component to growing economic corridors in Alberta and Western Canada, as it connects the Trans-Canada Highway to the east and west, and the Queen Elizabeth II Highway and Highway 2 to the north and south. It is also part of the CANAMEX corridor, which connects Alberta to the highway network in the United States and Mexico.
The completion of the ring road is a major boost for Calgary, opening new business opportunities and supporting key components of the Calgary economy. It sends a signal to businesses and investors that Calgary has a strong highway infrastructure, providing economic corridor connections through the entire region.
“With one of the smoothest commutes in Canada and the capacity to reach 16 million customers by road within a single day, Calgary offers unmatched quality of life and economic opportunities. The triumphant completion of the Calgary Ring Road further improves our capacity to attract even more companies, capital and talent to our city.”
“This is an exciting step forward for the Calgary Metropolitan Region. This key artery will not only improve the quality of life for the residents of the region, it is also a key economic enabler and we are thrilled to see its completion.”
Quick facts
- Stretched into a single lane, the highway is 1,304 kilometres long, the distance from Calgary to Winnipeg.
- Other sections opened in 2009, 2013, 2020 and 2023.
- The West Calgary Ring Road is the final piece of the ring road project.
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